Process of producing aluminum chloride



Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES HENRY BLUMENBERG. J'R., OF MOAPA, NEVADA.

PROCESS OF PRODUCING ALUMINUM CHLORIDE.

No Drawing.

My invention relates to a process of producing aluminum chloride and hasfor its object to produce the same in a simple, eflicient and economicmanner.

As well known, large quantities of aluminum chloride are used in theproduction of gasoline and the only'obstacle of its universal use is therather high cost of aluminum chloride.

My invention is based on the fact that sulphate. of aluminum will reactwith ,the chlorides of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

My invention consists in the steps of the process hereinafter describedand claimed.

I prefer to take aluminum sulphate and potassium chloride as my metalchloride as the reagents in producing aluminum chloride. While the twosalts may be used in molecular proportions as indicated in the chemicalequation immediately to follow, it is advisable to use a slight excessof aluminum sulphate. Both salts are first thoroughly dehydrated, usinga temperature-up to 110 C. or higher, and they are both ground to about100 screen mesh and thoroughly mixed. The mixture is then slowly heatedin a closed retort to a. temperature of 600 and 700 C, care being taken.to al- Ways maintain the temperature below the volatilization point ofthe potassium chloride which is about 735 C. otherwise a double salt ofaluminum potassium chloride AlCl KCl will be formed.

The two salts react as follows:

The aluminum chloride begins to distil or sublime slightly below 200 Cand is con- Application filed August 31, 1926. Serial No. 132,887.

coal and the like, to the mixture in the retort 4 which appears toassist the reaction, probably by converting the sulphate into asulphide, causing the reaction to take place more rapidly andefficiently.

At the end of the reaction the potassium salts retained in the retortmay be recoved and prepared for the trade. 7

In place of potassium chloride other chlorides of the alkali metals andalkaline earth metals, or a. mixture thereof, may be used.

Various changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, as claimed.

I claim 2,

1. A process of producing aluminum chloride comprising mixin aluminumsulphate with potassium chloride, heating. the mixture in a closedchamber in the presence of a inducing agent to a degree at whichaluminum chloride is formed and below the 'volatilization point of thepotassium chloride and condensing the aluminum chloride vapors formed.

2. A process of producing aluminum chloride comprising mixing aluminumsulphate with vpotassium chloride, heating the mixture in a closedchamber in the presence of carbonaceous matter to GOO-700 G. andcondensing the aluminum chloride vapors formed. 7

In testimony whereof I havesigned my name to this specification.

HENRY BLUMENBERG, JR.

